My focus for this post is on creating centers for small group lessons. I hope to provide a few ideas on how we in Anderson Two can utilize the technology we have during small group lessons in our classrooms.
Google ClassroomAll digital assignments can easily be pushed down to students through Google Classroom. Having one central location for students to access directions and links can be super helpful! It's also a huge plus that any completed assignments can be turned in through Google Classroom, meaning all work needing to be graded is in one spot! Other options might be Blendspace or a classroom website. | ActivExpressionsStudents can complete self-paced questions using the ActivExpressions. The teacher can allow students to navigate the question set, meaning they have the ability to go back and answer questions that are incorrect. I have also used the expressions to play a version of Kaboom, and students loved it! The teacher can print out student results at the end, which is great for checking for student understanding. |
Padlet | Formative AssessmentThere are so many sites out there that will let you gather student data to use for your instruction, however, I love Google Forms and Flubaroo the best! Some other great ones to check out are Go Formative, Socrative, |
Interactive flipchartInteractive Flipcharts using containers and restrictors allows the students to practice while making sure they are getting the necessary feedback to learn a topic. Once one group or individual is done with the board, they can click the rest button for the next person or group. I always liked having a timer up so students could test themselves to see who could complete the Flipchart the fastest. | QR CodesQR Codes can be used a variety of ways! Some ways might include:
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Skill and Drill/GamesThere are several websites and apps that allow students to practice a skill. Some of these include Sushi Monster (iPad), IXL (all subjects and grades), SplashMath (Math, K-5), FunBrain, and Math Playground, just to name a few, Other games allow students to play role playing-type games and earn "credits" by completing specificd question types, making them a bit more exciting for some students. These games include Front Row (ELA and Math) and Prodigy (1-8 Math). | CreateStudents must be able to share their thinking and reasoning. It is also imperative that they be able to show what they have learned in creative ways. There are several apps where students can do this! Chromebook: WeVideo, PowToon, Make Beliefs Comix, Google Docs, Slides, and Drawings, Canva, Piktochart, MyStoryBook iPad: My StoryMake |
Videos | pRACTICE |
Students can watch videos to teach them about key concepts while in small groups. These videos can either be given to students through Google Classroom, your website, a QR code and more. A good habit is to use SafeShare.tv. This site will allow you to paste in a YouTube video, and it will give you a link to the same video that has all ads, comments, and other distractions removed. You could also use an extension called "VideoNot.es" for students to take notes while watching the video. Every time students writ ea note, it will time stamp it and link it to that time in the video. Lastly, EdPuzzle allows you to make your videos interactive. The teacher can insert questions, comments, and even audio into already created YouTube videos! This allows the student to rewind as necessary to find the correct answer! | Quizlet has interactive games, study modes, and practice tests to make learning more fun and effective. Quiziz is a fun, multiplayer ativity that allows all students to practice together. It's similar to Kahoot, however, it can be given as homework (or in a small group!). Students still compete against each other. |
HyperDocs | Get 'em Thinking!Wonderopolis is an informational site that asks and answers interesting questions about the world. Every day, a new "Wonders of the Day" question is posted, and each is designed to get students to think, talk, and find learning moments together in everyday life. |
ELA SpecificNewseala - builds reading comprehension with nonfiction that's always relevant daily news. You can scale articles up or down depending on reading level. My StoryMaker - ELA Chromebook Apps
| Math SpecificStudyJams - Songs, vidoes, and quizzes for Math and Science Math Manipulatives - Examples include visual division, transformations, modeling tool, gemoetry board, thinking blocks fractions and ratios, and more! Math Chromebook Apps
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